Lions’ Den berths on TV, offers winning tips

Lions’ Den, the reality TV show that offers budding entrepreneurs investments opportunities through successful pitches, has hit television channels across the country.

The maiden edition parades five Lions who are regarded as potential investors in the businesses of budding entrepreneurs that pitch their business ideas on the reality show. The Lions are looking to give back to society and help Nigerians fulfil their dreams and ambitions. As such, if they see the potential in an entrepreneur’s idea or product, they will invest in it in exchange for some equity in the business.

On this show, the Lions are five high-flying entrepreneurs including Mr Kyari Bukar, co-founder and managing partner, Trans Sahara Investments Corporation; Adenike Ogunlesi, founder and creative director, Ruff ‘N’ Tumble; and Paul Onwuanibe, founder and CEO, Landmark Group. Others are Dan Ngerem, chairman, Hensen Group; and Bolaji Balogun, CEO, Chapel Hill Denham.

The debut episode of Lions’ Den, which aired on DStv’s Africa Magic last Sunday, October 10, features four budding entrepreneurs: Mr Oke Ese, maker of a power stove equipment that could also be used to charge phones and sundry devices; Ms Bukola Adebomi, owner of Scientific, producer of scented candles and room sprays; Ese Okey Oruade, owner of SEIL whose firm produces non-contact hand-washing machines; and Michelle Omoregha, founder of 989Spaces, a brand whose unique selling point is the provision of affordable, functional and flexible workspaces for people.

All the four entrepreneurs came to the Lions’ Den with high hopes, pitching their business ideas in exchange for millions of naira as investments from the gurus in the Den. At the end of the day, however, only two of them were successful with their pitches. They are Oke Ese who came looking for N40 million for his firm. Four of the Lions forked out N40 million to earn 40 per cent shares in Ese’s firm. Reasons for buying into his business, according to them, are Ese’s ability to spot opportunities and knowing his onions in the sector. But Paul, one of the Lions, declined, advising Ese to go look for bank loans rather than splitting his equity.

The other successful entrepreneur is Michelle of 989Spaces whose pitch for N100 million in exchange for 10 per cent of her equity was successful. Four of the Lions bought into her company while Paul once again declined on the ground of transparency having known Michelle before the show. Nevertheless, the duo of Scentify’s Bukola and SEIL’s Oruade were not successful with their pitches. They were turned down due to the non-scalability and un-bankability of their business ideas.

Produced by Ultima Studios and sponsored by Ecobank and Chapel Hill Denham as well as supported by the Bank of Industry and Development Bank of Nigeria, Lions’ Den will run for the next three months.

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